SELLERS GUIDE #7 - PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR SALE

If you want buyers to be interested in your home, you need to show it in its best light. A good first impression can influence a buyer into making an offer; it influences a buyer emotionally and visually. In addition, what the buyer first sees is what they think of when they consider the asking price.

A bad first impression can dissuade a potential buyer. Don't show your property until it's all fixed up. You do not want to give buyers the chance to use the negative first impression they have as means of negotiation.

Ask around for the opinions others have of your home. Real estate agents who see houses everyday can give solid advice on what needs to be done. Consider what architects or landscape designers have to say. What you need are objective opinions, and it's sometimes hard to separate the personal and emotional ties you have for the home from the property itself.

Typically, there are some general fix ups that need to be done both outside and on the inside. As a seller, you should consider the following:

• Landscaping - Has the front yard been maintained? Are areas of the house visible to the street in good condition?
• Cleaning or Redoing the driveway - Is your driveway cluttered with toys, tools, trash etc.?
• Painting - Does both the exterior and the interior look like they have been well taken care of?
• Carpeting - Does the carpet have stains? Or does the carpet look old and dirty?

What you are doing is no different from what supermarkets and other sellers do – they are getting their presentation right. How many times have you bought one product as opposed to another just because of their presentation and packaging? These same principles apply. A house that "sparkles" on the surface will sell faster than its shabby neighbour, even though both are structurally well maintained.

Whilst we will discuss these issues with you it is important that you consider them timeously and decide which you are going to do – and bear in mind that your minor investment statistically always shows returns above your input.
 
HOW MUCH TO SPEND?
 
In preparing your home for the market, spend as little money as possible. Buyers will be impressed by a brand new roof, but they aren't likely to give you enough extra money to pay for it.
 
There is a big difference between making minor and inexpensive polishes and touch-ups to your house, such as putting new knobs on cabinets and a fresh coat of neutral paint in the living room, and doing extensive and costly renovations, like installing a new kitchen.
 
Your agent will be familiar with buyers' expectations in your neighbourhood and can advise you specifically on what improvements need to be made and which improvements are most effective. Don't hesitate to ask for advice.
 
MAXIMISING EXTERIOR AND CURB APPEAL
 
When preparing to put your home up for sale, your first concern is the home's exterior. If the outside, or "curb appeal" looks good, people will more than likely want to see what's on the inside.
 
Here are some tips to enhance your home’s exterior and curb appeal to buyers:

• Keep the lawn edged, cut and watered. 
• Regularly trim hedges and weed lawns and flowerbeds.
• Be sure your front door area has a "Welcome" feeling.
• Paint the front door.
• In spring and summer, add a couple of pots of showy annuals near your front entrance.
• In snowy areas, keep walks neatly cleared of snow and ice.
• Check foundation, steps, walkways, walls and patios for cracks and deterioration, and fix any problem areas.
• Remove and repaint any peeling paint on doors and windows.
• Clean and align gutters.
• Inspect and clean the chimney.
• Repair and replace loose or damaged roof shingles.
• Repair and repaint loose siding and caulking.
• Reseal old asphalt.
• Keep the garage door closed.
• Store RVs and old cars elsewhere while the house is on the market.

MAXIMISING INTERIOR APPEAL
 
You want your home to look as spacious, bright and clean as possible. Also the home should look neutral – without a lot of your personal and sentimental objects - so buyers can begin to imagine living there.
 
A good tip to get a perspective, is to walk through your home as if you are doing so for the first time – pretend you are an agent or a buyer – open cupboards, look around. Then, make a mental note of the things that might put off potential buyers, along with another list of the things that first attracted you to the dwelling. Remember, the home's become a great place for you, but a new buyer will see things that you don't.
 
Here are some tips to enhance your home’s interior appeal to buyers:

• Give every room in the house a thorough cleaning and remove all clutter. This alone will make your house appear bigger and brighter. Some homeowners with crowded rooms actually rent storage garages and move half their furniture out, creating a sleeker, more spacious look.
• Use a professional cleaning service every few weeks while the house is on the market.
• Remove the less frequently used, and even daily-used items from kitchen counters, closets, basement and attic to make these areas more inviting.
• Make sure that table tops, dressers and closets are free of clutter.
• Pay special attention to the kitchen and bathrooms: they should look as modern, bright and fresh as possible. It is essential for them to be clean and odour free.
• Repair dripping faucets and showerheads.
• Buy showy new towels for the bathroom, and put them out only for showings.
• Spruce up a kitchen in need of more major remodelling by installing new curtains and cabinet knobs, or applying a fresh coat of neutral paint.
• Clean walls and doors of smudges and scuff marks.
• If necessary, repaint dingy, soiled or strongly-coloured walls with a neutral shade of paint, such as off-white or beige. The same neutral scheme can be applied to carpets and linoleum.
• Check for cracks, leaks and signs of dampness in the attic and basement, and fix any problem areas.
• Seal basement walls if there are any signs of dampness or leakage.
• Repair cracks, holes or damage to plaster, wallboard, wallpaper, paint and tiles.
• Replace broken or cracked windowpanes, mouldings and other woodwork.
• Inspect and repair the plumbing, heating, cooling and alarm systems.
• Ensure you have your Electrical Complaince Certificate in place

 
Also see the Ten Tips from Professionals article

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